Cohort Capital has provided a £20 million loan to a long-standing client to refinance a private bank facility secured against a house in Mayfair Village. The deal allowed the borrower to replace existing funding at short notice and maintain their wider investment strategy.
The borrower, an experienced property investor with a portfolio across the UK and Europe, has worked with Cohort for three years and currently holds £10 million of lending with the firm on other prime residential assets.
When their private bank called in the existing facility, Cohort structured a replacement loan within a tight timeframe and without additional requirements tied to assets under management.
The loan is secured against a Grade II listed house that recently underwent extensive refurbishment. Valued at about £56 million and spanning more than 21,200 square feet, the property includes:
11 bedrooms
a swimming pool
private outdoor terrace and garden areas
Although the house is vacant and produces no rental income, Cohort assessed the borrower’s overall net worth, existing relationship and track record before proceeding. The 36% loan-to-value ratio reflected a cautious approach to lending against a single high-value asset.
From enquiry to completion, the transaction took three weeks. Cohort handled the approval process internally, allowing it to move without the layers of review typical of larger institutions.
“We can move quickly because of how we're structured - streamlined decision-making, no institutional constraints, and a practical, common-sense approach to underwriting,” said Matt Thame, founder of Cohort Capital.
“In this case, we completed a £20 million facility in just three weeks. Our existing relationship with this borrower provided additional comfort, but the speed and certainty we delivered is how we approach every transaction."
"We're increasingly seeing clients who need to refinance loans held with private banks due to assets under management (AUM) requirements. Where banks require borrowers to pledge significant AUM alongside their lending, Cohort provides standalone financing based purely on the property and the borrower's capability. We have no such requirements attached to our loan offers.”
Cohort said the transaction reflects a broader shift among high-net-worth borrowers who are moving away from private bank structures that link lending to investment balances. Instead, borrowers are seeking property-backed finance based on asset quality and individual circumstances.
The lender focuses on tailoring loan structures around portfolio needs, even when assets are vacant or in transition. Direct investment committee approvals allow deals to be shaped around timing and risk rather than rigid policy frameworks.
The Mayfair transaction adds to Cohort Capital’s recent activity in London’s prime residential market, where competition for high-quality stock remains intense, and borrowers often require certainty within compressed timescales.
